Fri, July 09, 2010 - 3:16:02

Surprise! Warren Buffet’s Tips for Success Have Nothing to Do with Finance.

“If you’re in the luckiest 1 per cent of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99 per cent.” –Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett might be best known for his multi-billion dollar bank account, but the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway is also famed for his generous philanthropy efforts and winning advice on everything from business to parenting.  And although he’s even been nicknamed the “Oracle of Omaha” for his stock picking savvy, he could just as easily have earned the moniker for his brilliant words of wisdom.

In a conversation with the Huffington Post’s Willow Bay, the so-called “Oracle” shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to dispensing great advice and was kind enough to share a few wise words he’s been told over the years. But, what might come as a surprise is that Buffett claims the best advice he ever received wasn’t about art of investing. Instead, it had everything to do with the way in which you treat others.

Although the business world—particularly the financial sector—is often regarded as ruthless, cutthroat, and hyper-competitive, Buffett’s success serves as a shining example that you don’t have to “fight dirty” to make it to the top.

One of his favorite tips came from longtime friend Tom Murphy, who told him 40 years ago: “You can tell a guy to go to hell tomorrow. So, just keep your mouth shut today and see if you feel the same way tomorrow.”

While the phrasing might not have been the most delicate, Buffet says those words of wisdom were “terrific advice,” continuing, “I don’t know how many problems that’s saved me. You don’t have to stay up all night worrying about the fact that you didn’t tell it to ‘em.”

In other words, lashing out in anger at someone else is never productive. Although it might feel good in the moment, giving yourself a minute (or even better, a good night’s sleep) is the most effective way to handle tough situations and assure that you will communicate constructively with others.  After all, as Buffett once said, ““It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” So, take his advice—and Tom Murphy’s—and weigh your words carefully before you burn your bridges with a fiery tongue.

Posted by Linda and Robin